Girl, 13, drowns on school trip to resort

Children at a Makhanda primary school are receiving counselling after a Grade 7 pupil drowned during a school outing at an entertainment and accommodation facility last weekend.

SAPS Makhanda is investigating an inquest after the drowning on Friday November 10 at Makana Resort.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa said the pupils were attending a function at Makana Resort at about 3.30pm that day.

“According to information, three learners [two boys and a girl] went swimming without adult supervision,” Mawisa said.

The teachers were alerted by the two boys that the 13-year-old girl was under water and that they were unable to help her.

The police were alerted and the child’s body was recovered.

“The girl was declared dead by the paramedics,” Mawisa said.

On Monday November 13, education department officials and the councillor for Ward 2, where the no-fee school is situated, Ramie Xonxa, spoke to the children.

“We are devastated as a community that this has happened.

“As the councillor for the area, I went to the school on Monday to offer my support and to try give the children some words of comfort,” Xonxa said.

Talk of the Town has opted not to share the name of the Joza school, or the child, to afford the family and community privacy while they are in mourning.

Education department spokesperson, Mali Mtima, confirmed that the department had organised counselling for the school’s pupils.

“As the department we want to offer our condolences to the bereaved – both the family and the child’s fellow learners, and teachers,” Mtima said.

At the time of publishing, Talk of the Town had been unsuccessful in reaching the management of Makana Resort.